Went looking at new hoods today

[whateg0]

I stopped by the Airgas at the other end of town today, cuz I was in that area, and decided to ask about welding hoods. They sell Optrel, Speedglas, Jackson, Miller. He recommended the Jackson with the big lens. He said that Optrel was overrated and that the lack of 2 additional sensors made it not as good as the Jackson. He told me that he'd sell me the Jackson for about $290, while the Optrel Satellite was about $325. Internet pricing seems to be lower than that, and I don't normally go to this particular LWS anyway. I know opinions vary on the best, and I've read many of the reviews/comparisons/opinions here, and I think I may go with the Jackson. He didn't take the Optrel down for me to look at, so I didn't get to feel it, but the Jackson seems pretty rugged, which I expected. It also seems a little heavier. I definitely don't like the chintzy feel of the Hobart hoods. I know that most of the time, the hood just has to stop rays, but it seems like some hoods would be pretty easy to damage. Anyway, I sure do wish this was easy. I hate it when I have choices!

Dave

[Sully2]

I bought a Jackson...but it wasnt the big lens model..but it is an AD helmet. It was ?? $155 from Cyberweld.. I dont feel hampered in any manner from the standard sized lens

[wallythacker]

Dave,

I can't comment on the latest hoods out there but my Jackson Apprentice AD has been the best hood I've owned. I agree with your observation some hoods are flimsy. I've read about some troubles people have with other brands of hood , it seems Jackson have fewer problems.

My next "good" hood will be another Jackson.

Just IMO and worth 2 cents.

[Sundown]

He didn't say who overrated the Optrel did he? I have one and it's been an outstanding helmet. I had Jackson before this one (a master HTLS) and didn't like it al all, mostly because I kept getting flashed by it and the battery campartment was too small for the batteries and they needed to be smashed in. I am looking at a new helmet to use as a spare, I had a Miller BWE but needed to have a #8 shade so I only kept it a few months. I am thinking that I will most likely get a Miller Pro, it does't have the big window but it does have three sensors, 8-13 range, grinder mode, auto-on & auto -off and it's about $65-70 cheaper from IOC.

[precisionworks]

I have three Jackson AD's, purchased from HTP America with their branding.

The oldest one is the Striker Ultra XL, a nice helmet with big window for $199, click here.

The last two are the newer Striker Digital, the same as the Jackson NexGen EQC that sells for about $285. The HTP model is $259 in regular weight, $274 in lightweight. Awesome helmets.

[kwrangln]

$40 fixed lense hood and learn to flip it. It will never run down the batteries, never have an obstructed sensor, and is alot harder to screw up if you knock it off the bench or get pissed and wing it across the shop. Sometimes high tech aint all its cracked up to be, call me old school, still noddin to flip the hood with the best of em.

[whateg0]

$40 fixed lense hood and learn to flip it. It will never run down the batteries, never have an obstructed sensor, and is alot harder to screw up if you knock it off the bench or get pissed and wing it across the shop. Sometimes high tech aint all its cracked up to be, call me old school, still noddin to flip the hood with the best of em.

I have two AD hoods already. One Morsafe fixed shade and one HF $50 special. Like 'em both. Just looking for another variable shade, since giving the HF to my daughter.

I'm not going back to the dark ages!

Dave

[Sparkeee24]

Howdy Howdy!

I have an Optrel Harley davidson model through airgas I paid 99$ for on sale, as they are clearancing them out. I love it. My GF has the Optrel satellite, and it is a fantastic hood! Tons of adjustments... Don't let the "just two sensors" thing fool ya. It's a salesmans gimmick. The things flat out work great. I also have tried the Halo X NexGen hoods that Jackson makes, and If i hadn't got an optrel on sale, I would have gone for that in the full price market. I would look into Airgas, and see if they have any clearance optrels in your area. My gf paid 280$ for her Optrel satellite at airgas on sale. Good luck! Brian Lee Sparkeee28

[dda52]

Notice how he wouldn't let you handle the hood you asked about? He was steering you to what he wanted to sell....not what you wanted to look at. I have a LWS that does that...burns me up. They sell crap, we use it. Make them sell you what you want and don't take no for an answer....or just get it off the internet and be done with it. That way you get what you want, don't get any sales idiot BS and save some money to boot.


FWIW, I am using a Miller BWE and a XLix. To date, no issues with durability or performance whatsoever. I wasn't even worried today when I was on a rickety ladder welding off a silo arm brace in the wind. Probably should have been.... I have had both a couple of years now.

[FM117]

I have a Optrel Satellite K602 and it's been great.
I've never had it flash me yet. I had a "big window"
helmet before and I don't miss it, always been able
to get a position to see without it. I'm thinking the big windows
are a little overated after having both.
Be aware that the Optrel will require a different " cheater"
lens if you use em.
Dave P.
Edit....about $280 at LWS

[J Hall]

The problem with a lot of the LWS these days, is that they need to stock what people want to buy, rather than what they want to sell

[dda52]

Yup, that is a huge problem. I am fortunate that my main LWS actually takes notes and ORDERS what I want! I about fell over when I saw that. It has been a loooooong time since I saw customer service like that.

[precisionworks]

the Optrel will require a different " cheater" lens if you use em.

IMO, none of the plastic, $5 cheaters are worth a hoot in h e l l . The ones I tried all reminded me of looking through the bottom of a glass jar

Optivisor lens plates, around $20, are made of ground & polished optical glass, just like prescription glasses. I buy them on eBay, click here. Sometimes available through a jeweler also.

[Sundown]

IMO, none of the plastic, $5 cheaters are worth a hoot in h e l l . The ones I tried all reminded me of looking through the bottom of a glass jar

<snip.

Do you just tape tape time in the helmet? they won't slip into my optrel for sure.

[Sparkeee24]

Howdy! Howdy!

For the cheeter lenses to fit optrel hoods, without buying the expensive ones, I use my grinding wheel gently, and taper the edge of the lense thin enough to fit into the slits the optrels come with. It takes about 1 lens practice to get good with, and then it works pretty good every time. good luck, Brian Lee Sparkeee28